Mark McElfresh, Joel Pritchard and Butch Carter

[beenutt]

The three amigos! The Lord has truly blessed the Dixie League with three of the best newcomers in the nation. Lavell and I have prayed together that the Lord would bless us with new people in our area who are interested in learning this great hobby. The Lord has answered our prayers. Guys, if you haven't met this great new coaches, you are in for a real treat. Joel_P1 lives one mile from me! He has the passion and the work ethic to be one of the greatest coaches in our hobby one day. He already has become a great tweaker and has great enthusiasm for the game. Mark (tbuc) just moved to our area from Florida and is a pastor. Mark is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He is always interested in learning more about the hobby - boards, figures, etc. Butch Carter is a high school football coach in North Carolina. He is a GREAT painter and is very knowledgable about football. He has enthusiasm for this hobby like no other I have ever met.

I just wanted to let these three know how much I appreciate them. Their enthusiasm has rubbed off on me and I am grateful to them for their friendship. Just a reminder to all out there: sometimes when you pray earnestly, the Lord says "YES".

beenutt

I didn't get a lot of face time with them, but I could sense that they were special guys and apparently answered prayers to boot! I gotta go and start praying for 20 guys like them here in Chicago. Nice meeting both of you guys and it was refreshing to just see someone that enjoyed the game more than winning and ego-tripping. Good Luck (and GOD's Blessings) upon your MF careers!

[joel_p1]

Thank you for your kind words. But I see that I have a LONG way to go to compete with all the legends and pros of this great hobby.
But I'm so thrilled to learn and take a little bit from everyone I met from the Brawl and my nieghbors. I am so thankful to meet people in this hobby that are so giving with their knowledge and time. I have been all over the world being in the Air Force and have never met any nicer or helpful than Beenutt and Levell Shelton . Mark and Butch have been wonderful competitors and friends, I see that this hobby has introduced me to some of the most nicest people in the world. Words cant describe how thankful I am to all of you for everything you have done for me , painting , decals, tweaking, the list is endless, that Im so grateful for.Look foward to more lessons and fellowship with all brothers in efl.
Lets play ball anytime , anywhere , win , loose or draw , lets just have fun..
Until next time . Take care.
Joel

PS, Joel: Those SC "Fightin'-chickens" were so sweet they made me hungry lookin' at 'em!!! Only a few guys out there still handpaint their teams and yours are among the tops I've seen in a while. Glad to have you in the Greatest Hobby on Earth!

[joel_p1]

Thanks for the all the fine comments from everyone I got on the paint job and detail on the Gamecocks.
I cant take all the credit, as my good friend Bulldawg21 (Butch Carter)
did all the pinstriping, I just did the basic easy painting.

[NATIONAL]

Mark and Joel are first class guys. I don't think I met Butch???
Mark and Joel were picking with me all weekend. I didn't realize Mark was Tburn from the Miggle board tho. We need to put our usernames on the name tags at tourneys. I really enjoyed their company, I got a few moments of talking with those two, and they are lifers for sure!

Mark, Joel, I hope you guys enjoyed the Prettyboy show.

PS

Those gloves were for my football catching clinic I was going to put on, but I couldn't find a QB!

NATIONAL

[Coach K-LO]

always great to meet new members of our sport!

Thanks for the discussions and the purchases from my stuff.

Good luck in the Dixie league, those guys are tough and experieced. Don't let it bother you.

Now that you have a tasted the tournament action, don't let it be your last.

K-LO

[Anthony D Burgess]

I SECOND THAT 110%

Originally Posted by PRETTYBOY

Mark and Joel are first class guys. I don't think I met Butch???
Mark and Joel were picking with me all weekend. I didn't realize Mark was Tburn from the Miggle board tho. We need to put our usernames on the name tags at tourneys. I really enjoyed their company, I got a few moments of talking with those two, and they are lifers for sure!

Mark, Joel, I hope you guys enjoyed the Prettyboy show.

PS

Those gloves were for my football catching clinic I was going to put on, but I couldn't find a QB!

NATIONAL

[Coach_J]

Hi Beenutt,

To begin with it was an honor to meet you at The Seawall Brawl. You don't know how I felt to be in the company of people like yourself at the Brawl. I was also glad to meet two of your newest league members Joel and Mark at the Brawl. I don't recall meeting Butch but I am sure he is also a great addition to your league. Yes you have been blessed to have newcomers like Joel and Mark in your league. I spent time talking to Joel and Mark during the weekend and they are great guys to be around. I am glad to have people like them in the hobby. I look forward to seeing them again at the Brawl in '08 and hopefully meet Butch Carter as well.

Coach_J

Mark,

It was great to finally meet you in person. You are a great addition to our ranks. Thank you again for what you did to support our tournament. I know when you were leaving you said we were even; However, I still feel like I owe you one. Don't hesitate to call me if you ever need anything. Thanks again and let's stay in touch.

Joel,

What can I say my friend? You came and played in a tournament that you weren't familiar with the play-style, and guess what??? You did fine. You represented South Carolina with dignity and class, plus your enthusiasm was infectious. Everytime I saw you... you were laughing and smiling. I hope that was an indication that you were having a good time. Take care and we'll talk again soon.

Bee,

If prayer got these two fine gentlemen to join your league. We had all better start following suit.

Peace,

Don Smith